Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu

Arunachaleswarar, Edaikazhinadu

Saivite Temples, Cheyyur Taluk

God

Arunachaleswarar, facing east

Goddess

Abithagujambal, facing east

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Vijayathanga Perumal, Navagraha, Bhairava, Naagar. Sanctum Niches – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara

Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu is a beautiful temple set amidst shady mango and cashew groves. The campus is large and the shrines are situated in the single large Prakaram. The Navagrahas here are unique with all facing different directions in a circle around Sun. The shrine is a tall circular construction. Another unique feature here are the carvings around the sanctum which include Krishna tied to the grinding stone, Lord Vishnu reclining on Aadhisesha, Oorthuva Thandava of Lord Shiva along with Kaali (representing the Thiruvalankadu legend), Anjaneya, Lady worshiping a Lingam, Lion and elephant fighting, Lingam on Mount Kailash, Rabbit and Peacock, Bulls fighting and Cow shedding milk on Lingam. Under the shade of a Neem and Peepul tree are old idols of Ganesha, Vishnu, and Naagar.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam

History

Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu is an ancient temple as is evident from a few stone inscriptions found here.

Legend

Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu is believed to be a place which was visited by Idaikattu Sidhdhar who is also said to have spent some time. He was a shepherd with an ability to foretell famines and other disastrous happenings. He is also believed to have rearranged the positions of the Navagrahas here at Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu to tide over a period of such a famine. The Navagrahas here are thus placed in an unusual position, facing different directions. The place where he spent time meditating is said to be some distance away near the Alamparai Fort in a piece of land abutted by the sea and reachable by boat.

Directions

Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu can be reached by a forking road on a curve in between Odiyur and Vilambur. From this fork, Arunachaleswarar Edaikazhinadu temple is 2.5 Kilometers straight south. Refer our map below for exact location.

Stay and Food

None locally in any of the villages of this Taluk. A few restaurants are available only in the ECR.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples